January - Duruthu Perahera (Kelani Procession), Sri Lanka
SRI LANKA | Wednesday, 17 December 2008 | Views [148]
Location: Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Dates: January poya (full moon)
Level of Participation: 1 – watch three wondrous parades
Description:
Second only to the Kandy Esala Perahera (see August week 3) in the pecking order of Sri Lankan festivals, Duruthu Perahara celebrates the Buddha’s first visit to Sri Lanka, during which he is said to have visited the Kelaniya temple near Colombo. The celebrations consist of three processions on the nights preceding the poya. Whip-crackers lead each procession, followed by fire-ball performers, drummers, dancers and costumed performers. Decorated elephants parade between each of the groups, including, most spectacularly, an enormous tusker treading a special white carpet.
Hundreds of thousands of people attend the parades, with each one being more colourful and spectacular than the last – if you can make only one procession, come for the final one, held the night before the full moon.
Essentials: Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara is 7km northeast of Colombo’s Fort zone, just off the Kandy road. To reach the temple, take bus 235 from in front of the traffic-police station, which is just northeast of the Bastian Mawatha bus station.
Local Attractions: Apart from being host to the festival, Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara is Colombo’s most important Buddhist centre, noted for its fine reclining Buddha. In Colombo, immerse yourself in the street stalls in Pettah and discover most of the city’s historical sights in the Fort district.
More Info: Kelaniya Temple (www.kelaniyatemple.com)
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Information provided courtesy of Lonely Planet
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